New John Illsley album

[superval99]

I like John Illsley's musical style, he keeps the DS sound alive, althought his lyrics are not as good as MK ones, but they are ok for me because the music is really good.

Finally someone GETS John's music.
He plays a style he loves and will stick with it until he dies.
Nothing wrong with being reliable and consistent.

No, nothing wrong with being reliable and consistent, but it can become boring eventually.

[hunter]

Nothing wrong with being reliable and consistent.

Qualities I'd be looking for in an accountant or factory worker. In an artist, I'm first and foremost interested in creativity and "life". Rehashing a formula is very much the opposite.

[Jules]

Nothing wrong with being reliable and consistent.

Qualities I'd be looking for in an accountant or factory worker. In an artist, I'm first and foremost interested in creativity and "life". Rehashing a formula is very much the opposite.

One of my favorite spanish band, called "Fito & Fitipaldies" (they opened for MK in Gredos 2015), which is probably the more famous and sucesful Spanish band, does a kind of music that critics say is always the same. And it is, because, that's their style, and that's what their fans expect, so, for fans, always the same is not bad, but something you know you are going to getwhen you buy a new record, new songs, in their style, so you always know what you are getting. And it is also the style in which Fito feels happy.

For the record, their style is very Knopflerish!

[hunter]

Nothing wrong with being reliable and consistent.

Qualities I'd be looking for in an accountant or factory worker. In an artist, I'm first and foremost interested in creativity and "life". Rehashing a formula is very much the opposite.

One of my favorite spanish band, called "Fito & Fitipaldies" (they opened for MK in Gredos 2015), which is probably the more famous and sucesful Spanish band, does a kind of music that critics say is always the same. And it is, because, that's their style, and that's what their fans expect, so, for fans, always the same is not bad, but something you know you are going to getwhen you buy a new record, new songs, in their style, so you always know what you are getting. And it is also the style in which Fito feels happy.

For the record, their style is very Knopflerish!

I understand what you mean, and I think there has to be an element of familiarity and recognition, a link if you will, between album releases. In Mark's case, that link is his voice, guitar and brilliant lyrics. But there has to be some kind of artistic development and variety to keep things interesting. At least for me. It's a fine balancing act, though. If the artist moves too fast ahead, he/she will risk losing fans. If he/she moves, too slow many fans will be bored. And of course, you can never please everybody As for John, he could definitely need some input from a good producer to change things up a little.

[quizzaciously]

Nothing wrong with being reliable and consistent.

Qualities I'd be looking for in an accountant or factory worker. In an artist, I'm first and foremost interested in creativity and "life". Rehashing a formula is very much the opposite.

One of my favorite spanish band, called "Fito & Fitipaldies" (they opened for MK in Gredos 2015), which is probably the more famous and sucesful Spanish band, does a kind of music that critics say is always the same. And it is, because, that's their style, and that's what their fans expect, so, for fans, always the same is not bad, but something you know you are going to getwhen you buy a new record, new songs, in their style, so you always know what you are getting. And it is also the style in which Fito feels happy.

For the record, their style is very Knopflerish!

I understand what you mean, and I think there has to be an element of familiarity and recognition, a link if you will, between album releases. In Mark's case, that link is his voice, guitar and brilliant lyrics. But there has to be some kind of artistic development and variety to keep things interesting. At least for me. It's a fine balancing act, though. If the artist moves too fast ahead, he/she will risk losing fans. If he/she moves, too slow many fans will be bored. And of course, you can never please everybody As for John, he could definitely need some input from a good producer to change things up a little.

Well said, hunter... As a lifelong fighter of banality and simplicity in the bad way of the term, I'm not a fan of this situation, when you have an ex-member of the band X that sounds exactly like the band X. I mean, here's John Illsley, the bass player from Dire Straits, with his new song! And the song sounds exactly like Dire Straits...

Isn't that would be way cooler when here's the bass player from Dire Straits and his new song that has nothing to do with Dire Straits? As jbaent said, when you have a distinctive style, you can't just change it. Say your band specialises and plays ska music, or reggae music, or blues, you can't just switch the genre. But an artist would change it sometimes just for the sake of it.

So I'm here with Guy Fletcher, who's "looking forward only" and strives for originality. But with that said, if you're capable of originality at all... I know I can't, so I stick to my usual stuff and covers. Chances are John simply feels comfortable in this Dire Straits bubble. But if one is capable of creating something original, he must do just that.

[hunter]

Chances are John simply feels comfortable in this Dire Straits bubble. But if one is capable of creating something original, he must do just that.

John at this stage of his life and artist career isn't looking to break new ground and grow as an artist. And obviously he doesn't need the money. He's just doing it as a pleasant hobby. If this is what he enjoys, then why not? Then again, why not try something new? What's there to lose? Get some input to move away from the predictable chord progressions and melodies, for example.

[Jules]

Chances are John simply feels comfortable in this Dire Straits bubble. But if one is capable of creating something original, he must do just that.

John at this stage of his life and artist career isn't looking to break new ground and grow as an artist. And obviously he doesn't need the money. He's just doing it as a pleasant hobby. If this is what he enjoys, then why not? Then again, why not try something new? What's there to lose? Get some input to move away from the predictable chord progressions and melodies, for example.

I'm going to put Fito, from Fito & Fitipaldies again. He's often asked by music journalist, why he always does the same style of music...

He always answers it's the style of music he likes, and it's the style of music that pops his head when he's writing, so he can't do nothing about it because if he tries anything different, doesn't works for him and ends going back to his style.

Maybe it's the same for John.

[hunter]

I'm going to put Fito, from Fito & Fitipaldies again. He's often asked by music journalist, why he always does the same style of music...

He always answers it's the style of music he likes, and it's the style of music that pops his head when he's writing, so he can't do nothing about it because if he tries anything different, doesn't works for him and ends going back to his style.

Maybe it's the same for John.

I don't know Fito, but from what you're saying, I'd say he sounds like a very limited artist.

[Jules]

I'm going to put Fito, from Fito & Fitipaldies again. He's often asked by music journalist, why he always does the same style of music...

He always answers it's the style of music he likes, and it's the style of music that pops his head when he's writing, so he can't do nothing about it because if he tries anything different, doesn't works for him and ends going back to his style.

Maybe it's the same for John.

I don't know Fito, but from what you're saying, I'd say he sounds like a very limited artist.

Because he likes what he does, and feel comfortable with what he likes, and uncomfortable with what he doesn't?

Sometimes you feel like dishonest doing other things, that are not your thing. Other feel comfortable doing all kind of things, some not.

[Robson]

I like John Illsley's musical style, he keeps the DS sound alive, althought his lyrics are not as good as MK ones, but they are ok for me because the music is really good.

 

Artist should always be free.

[hunter]

I'm going to put Fito, from Fito & Fitipaldies again. He's often asked by music journalist, why he always does the same style of music...

He always answers it's the style of music he likes, and it's the style of music that pops his head when he's writing, so he can't do nothing about it because if he tries anything different, doesn't works for him and ends going back to his style.

Maybe it's the same for John.

I don't know Fito, but from what you're saying, I'd say he sounds like a very limited artist.

Because he likes what he does, and feel comfortable with what he likes, and uncomfortable with what he doesn't?

Sometimes you feel like dishonest doing other things, that are not your thing. Other feel comfortable doing all kind of things, some not.

It's not about doing things that you are uncomfortable with, but expanding your horizon and repertoar. That's what I like about my favorite artists, such as Mark, Ry Cooder, Bill Frisell, Miles Davis, and many more. They are always exploring and searching, taking in all kinds of influences. After a while all those influences will put a mark on your own work. It's like a sponge.

[qjamesfloyd]

I think John is perfectly happy with his life and his music, he has been really prolific over the last decade (For him) both in terms of albums and touring, he clearly doesn't want or need to be in the spotlight like Mark, and he is doing well, ok, his lyrics aren't great, but not every artist has great lyrics, I like it that he Mark and Guy are releasing albums of original song still, and if there is a Dire Straits sound to some of the songs, that's great too, I love Dire Straits After being out of music for a long time, doing his painting, it must be great to be able to keep things low key, and record in one of the world's best studio's, plus after his health issues, I am happy he is doing anything. Good On You Son.

[wakeywakey]

I'm going to put Fito, from Fito & Fitipaldies again. He's often asked by music journalist, why he always does the same style of music...

He always answers it's the style of music he likes, and it's the style of music that pops his head when he's writing, so he can't do nothing about it because if he tries anything different, doesn't works for him and ends going back to his style.

Maybe it's the same for John.

I don't know Fito, but from what you're saying, I'd say he sounds like a very limited artist.

Of course he is a very limited artist.If he never met MK he wouldn't have been able to release any solo albums.
He'd be like one of those singer/songwriters you get in pubs on certain nights.They play songs which the audience expects to hear because if they didn't they wouldn't keep the gig.
The expectations of him are completely unrealistic because as a musician he isn't particularly talented.
He accepted his limitations long ago and embraces them.There are plenty of covers bands around,John just does it in a slightly different way.
He's managed to spend almost his whole working life in the artistic field despite these limitations.Something to admire in that.

[hunter]

I'm going to put Fito, from Fito & Fitipaldies again. He's often asked by music journalist, why he always does the same style of music...

He always answers it's the style of music he likes, and it's the style of music that pops his head when he's writing, so he can't do nothing about it because if he tries anything different, doesn't works for him and ends going back to his style.

Maybe it's the same for John.

I don't know Fito, but from what you're saying, I'd say he sounds like a very limited artist.

Of course he is a very limited artist.If he never met MK he wouldn't have been able to release any solo albums.
He'd be like one of those singer/songwriters you get in pubs on certain nights.They play songs which the audience expects to hear because if they didn't they wouldn't keep the gig.
The expectations of him are completely unrealistic because as a musician he isn't particularly talented.
He accepted his limitations long ago and embraces them.There are plenty of covers bands around,John just does it in a slightly different way.
He's managed to spend almost his whole working life in the artistic field despite these limitations.Something to admire in that.

I was talking about Fito. But I agree with everything you say about John and that's quite frankly why I don't listen to his music.

[Eddie Fox]

Thanks to DS I don’t think John worries much about money… he probably plays what he likes. Or maybe that’s all he can write. As long as it makes him happy I’m happy too. The guy is the coolest.